Trick5 – Patreon Forces Patrons to Pay More Money – Trick5

Patreon is changing the way it charges fees, which is causing confusion and consternation amongst creators and their patrons. The new fees mean creators will get a higher percentage of the money pledged. However, patrons will be paying the difference, risking the business model.

For the uninitiated, Patreon is a crowdfunding platform connecting content creators with the public. Members of the public can pledge direct support by means of a regular injection of cash. Some people pledge small amounts to lots of different creators, and that’s now under threat.

Now, Patreon is switching things up by charging patrons a fee of 2.9 percent plus 35 cents of every individual pledge. This ensures creators will get a healthier chunk of the money pledged to them, but also means patrons will be paying more for the privilege of supporting someone.

Hey @Patreon@PatreonSupport, I was just *fine* with paying the fees. This new fee structure is going to cost me my $1 and $5 patrons who make up the bulk of my support.

Patreon pledges come in all sizes, from large monthly cash injections to small per-post donations. The problem is that thanks to patrons being required to pay 35 cents for every individual pledge the smaller amounts of money will be hit the hardest. Potentially putting patrons off pledging.

Creators are worried that whatever extra cash they could earn from this change will be wiped out by the loss of small monthly pledges. And many of those who rely heavily on the $1-$5 tier are asking Patreon to reconsider its decision. In the meantime December 18th edges ever closer.

Dire Consequences for Creators’ Incomes

This seems like a genuine mistake on the part of Patreon. It has tried to do something to help creators earn more money without thinking through the potential downsides. But for content creators who rely on small donations this could have devastating consequences on their income.

Are you a Patreon creator? Or a Patreon patron? If so, how do you feel about the changes to service fees? Do you think it’s a fairer way of divvying up the charges? Or are you concerned it will cause you to lose low-level supporters? Please let us know in the comments below!